Italian Wines / African Art / Grace Magazine / Mario Batali Otto

FIRST -
A big thank you to Carol McCarthy at The Day newspaper.
The article that she wrote about our store in the recent issue of Grace Magazine, the magazine for women,
was fabulous - we all appreciate the kind words.

Food Stroll was a great success - hundreds of people came out to support the event and it was lots of fun.
Thanks to everyone that came out and said hello.

Many of you enjoy the South African wines that were a part of recent our tastings --
You will be happy to learn that there will be a
Celebration of African Art, Music, and information this Friday night at Connecticut College.

The Cummings Art Center at Connecticut College will be at the center of the evening - here is a rundown:

The Cummings Art Center room 308 - at Connecticut College:
4:00 p.m. - Pamela Allara will lecture on Contemporary Printmaking in South Africa
5:00 p.m. - A reception with wine in the galleries show casing the artwork & exhibits
8:00 p.m. - A concert by noted South African musician Vusi Mahlasela
will be held at John C. Evans Hall.

If you have not been up to the college lately - what are you waiting for?
This is a great way to visit their beautiful art galleries, take a look at some remarkable artwork,
try some wine, listen to some music and pick up a little ....."Kul-Cha".
For more information give a call to: 860-439-2740


Remember - Every Thursday night we have a beer tasting and musicale - 5-8 p.m.
This week Porters and Stouts will be featured.

Every Friday night - the wines are flowing from 6-9 p.m.
Please join us - it is fun, informal and a great way to start your weekend



WINES THIS WEEK:
Friday - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge

ITALY
Piedmontese wines like Barolo, Barbaresco, and Barbera, are all outstanding winter red wines with ample aromas, high alcohol, full body and a long, satisfying finish. If there’s ever been a time for savoring Piedmont’s wines, it is now. An unbroken hit parade of impressive vintages from 1995 through 1999 makes buying these wines easier than ever, provided you choose the right producer. Some quality producers, for example Ceretto and Gaja, make outstanding single- vineyard (which the Piedmontese call cru) Barbarescos such as Sorì Tildin, Asili and Bricco Asili. Other top Barbaresco producers include: Bruno Giacosa, Parroco di Neive, Bruno Rocca, and Tenute Cisa Asinari dei Marchesi di Gresy.

1 - Catina Parroco Barbaresco - $28
A Barbaresco that exalts the extraordinary quality of the Nebbiolo grape like few others can at this price.
Indeed, for the Parroco di Barbaresco, offering great value for money - initially just one of many factors taken into consideration -
has become the defining factor in the wines they produce and works particularly well as an accompaniment to starters and lighter meat-based mainstays

2 - Catina Parroco Barbera - $15
Supple wine that appeals immediately thanks to its refined, velvety palate and rich, characterful body.
Although its tipicity is undiminished, this is no Barbera-by-numbers - rather it is a singular attempt to create a truly enjoyable wine.

3 - Zeni Muller Thurgau - $15
A real treat is this rounded, seductive Muller Thurgau. Generously fresh in its clear evocation of fruity aromas.
Always a good choice, it is certainly worth keeping in mind any time fish-based dishes are on the menu

4 - Zeni Pinot Grigio - $17
The color is a glowing, pale salmon, like Blanc De Noirs Champagne. Classy, well-balanced, and silky aromas of white flowers, flint, and peach. A dry style of Pinot Grigio with good fruit, balance, some complexity, and a creamy texture. This wine has the feel and grace found in good white Burgundy. Flavors of young red berries, peach, white pear, and notes of lemon-lime acidity. The finish is dry with balanced fruit notes and a crisp acidity. Refined enough to work well with light food, but flavorful enough to handle richer fish like salmon or swordfish.

Last Saturday night I had the opportunity to visit Mario Batali's restaurant Otto in New York.
The wine list is a remakable collection that deserves high praise. All of his restaurants feature extensive wine lists because of his parnership in the Italian Wine Merchants. Mario Batali began his career as apprentice to London's Marco Pierre White, followed by three years of cooking and learning in Northern Italy. Upon returning to the U.S. in 1993, Batali opened his first acclaimed New York restaurant P'o. He now divides his time between four Italian hotspots; Lupa, a Roman-style trattoria; Esca, which focuses on fresh seafood; and Babbo Ristorante e Enoteca, an upscale dining room, which received three stars in The New York Times, and was awarded "Best New Restaurant of 1998" by the James Beard Foundation. Otto Enoteca Pizzeria, his newest restaurant, opened in January 2003.

Batali hosts Molto Mario and Mario Eats Italy on Food Network and is the author of several bestselling cookbooks. He most recently won the James Beard award for Best New York Chef in 2002.

For more information and other items of interest please visit our website and check the calendar of events - it changes often.

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